HMC urges cancer patients to take COVID-19 prevention measures

حمد الطبية تحث مرضى السرطان على اتخاذ تدابير الوقاية من كوفيد -١٩

Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) National Center for Cancer Care and Research (NCCCR) is urging patients with cancer to take extra precautions to limit their exposure to COVID-19. “The Department of Radiation Oncology at NCCCR understands and appreciates that patients who are facing cancer treatment, or a cancer diagnosis, during the COVID-19 pandemic may experience significant worry and anxiety, regarding their treatment and their timely and safe accessibility to hospitals,” said Dr. Noora Al Hammadi (pictured), Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology.

“As a Department, we would like to reassure our patients that all our radiotherapy-specific cancer services are open as usual. Our doctors are attending their weekly multidisciplinary tumor board meetings to discuss all cases as part of our ongoing efforts to ensure that everyone will be seen and treated without unwanted delays, which could compromise a patient’s treatment outcome,” added Dr. Al Hammadi. Each day cancer specialists at NCCCR provide radiotherapy to more than 60 patients, totaling more than 300 patient visits each week.

Dr. Al Hammadi said the Department of Radiation Oncology is committed to treating all radiotherapy patients effectively and in a safe manner. She said teams at the NCCCR are constantly monitoring the current situation and have implemented risk mitigation strategies to protect patients and staff.

“Our aim is to complete scheduled treatments without any delay or complications. Despite these troubling times, the Department of Radiation Oncology at NCCCR is constantly striving to provide radiation therapy in line with HMC’s vision of delivering the safest, most effective, and most compassionate care to each and every one of our Patients,” said Dr. Al Hammadi.

Patients with cancer are urged to take additional prevention measures to avoid contracting COVID-19 as even a mild illness associated with the virus could cause serious complications, due to cancer patients already having a weakened immune system.

They are advised to avoid contact with individuals who are sick and to strictly adhere to hand hygiene and social distancing measures.